WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Palm Beach Atlantic men's soccer team faced off with the Nova Southeastern Sharks at the Rinker Athletic Campus tonight. The Sailfish needed a victory to guarantee themselves an appearance in the Sunshine State Conference Tournament but were held to a 2-2 draw tonight to take their record to 8-5-2 overall and 4-4-2 in conference play.

The Sailfish and the Sharks each needed a result tonight to secure their place in postseason play. It was PBA who had the best of the chances early on as Federico Serra was denied in the 17th minute as he got on the end of a Harry Gardner cross at the back post. Serra also had a chip attempt from the edge of the box after the Sharks' keeper came out to clear the ball but the Italians shot was denied by the right post. 

Each side had just one shot on target in the opening half, but it was the Sailfish with seemingly the better looks until Nova Southeastern broke the scoreless tie in the 31st minute. Off a corner, the ball was flicked onward and PBA goalie Guillermo Falo had no chance as the Sharks took the 1-0 lead. PBA outshot the Sharks 6-5 in the opening half but trailed at the half. 

PBA battled back in the second half as they had the majority of the possession and it paid off in the 62nd minute when the 'Fish were awarded a penalty. Serra stepped up to the spot and put it away for his fifth goal of the year. The Sailfish were playing some of their best soccer of the season, playing quick one-touch passes in dangerous areas around the Sharks' box. Unfortunately for PBA, their set-piece defense let them down for a second time as the Sharks scored again on a corner again after a stretch of three consecutive corners.

Down 2-1, the Sailfish poured numbers forward. With just over eight minutes remaining, Fred Ferreira found a cutting Serra inside the Sharks' box and his left-footed shot found the back of the net to equalize for PBA. The Sailfish continued to go forward, looking for the next goal that would give them the victory, but they ran out of time as the game finished tied 2-2.

PBA outshot the Sharks 13-11 and 5-3 in shots on goal while keeping the majority of the possession but were held to the draw. The future of the Sailfish season now depends on the Eckerd versus Tampa game Friday night. PBA needs a Tritons win or draw against the Spartans to get into the SSC Tournament.